Emily Wurramara and Travis De Vries recording Petroglyph

Help Us Empower First Nations Creators Through Our 2025 Grants Program

The Awesome Black Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of our 2025 Grants and Scholarships Program: The Voices Rising Fund, a vital initiative designed to empower First Nations creatives. This program directly supports the creation of new, culturally significant works in literature and music, amplifying Indigenous voices and preserving cultural legacies for future generations.

Our Goal

This year, we aim to raise $80,000 through the Australian Cultural Fund to fully fund our 2025 Grants Program. These funds will be awarded as two significant grants to talented First Nations artists, writers, or musicians. Each recipient will have the opportunity to bring their vision to life, creating works that resonate deeply with their communities and beyond.

Your donation helps ensure that these creators receive:

  • Dedicated time and financial resources to focus on their projects.
  • Mentorship from Travis De Vries, Founder of Awesome Black, to help refine and elevate their work.
  • Publishing and distribution support, ensuring their stories and songs reach wide audiences.

Why It Matters

First Nations voices have been historically underrepresented in literature and music. By funding the creation of new works, we provide a platform for Indigenous artists to share their stories, shape cultural narratives, and inspire future generations.

This program also introduces a sustainable model: a 2% royalty stake in the recipients’ works will be reinvested into the program, allowing us to continue supporting First Nations creators year after year.

The Impact of Your Support

Your donation has a direct, tangible impact. By contributing to the Voices Rising Fund, you:

  • Empower First Nations creators to tell their stories.
  • Help preserve and share cultural heritage through impactful artistic works.
  • Contribute to a more inclusive and representative cultural landscape.
  • Inspire innovation and nurture emerging talent within the First Nations creative community.

Every dollar brings us closer to achieving our $80,000 target, enabling us to support two creators in making something of profound cultural significance. These works will stand the test of time, enriching Australia’s cultural narrative and inspiring audiences worldwide.

How to Donate

Support this transformative program by donating through the Australian Cultural Fund. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps amplify First Nations voices and create a brighter future for Indigenous storytelling.

To learn more about our grants program and other initiatives, visit us at AwesomeBlack.org.

Join us in empowering First Nations creators to craft works that will shape the cultural fabric of Australia and inspire generations to come. Together, we can make an incredible difference.

Travis and artists at the Sounds Australia Showcase 2024. Artists from left to right: Eric Avery, Dyagula, Akala Newman and Nidala